Staff Attorney - Hospital In-house

Overview

This role will include many responsibilities for the provision of legal services in a corporate environment.  The role is expected to primarily focus on the review, negotiation and drafting of a wide range of healthcare-related contracts and agreements, ensuring compliance with federal and state healthcare regulations, including Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statue (AKS) and HIPAA.  The ideal candidate will have a strong background in healthcare contracting and a solid understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that governs hospitals and health systems

Responsibilities

Performs and directs various legal services for DCH Health System including

• Analyze, research and advise with respect to general business, employment, and legal issues impacting health care providers including ethics, consent, policy making, privacy, billing, and medical practice, etc.
• Advises on state and federal regulatory and licensure matters and collaborates with compliance, audit and privacy staff to achieve maximum compliance
• Coordinates the utilization of external counsel including engagement, scope of work and compensation, service, performance and final invoice authorization

Draft, review, revise and negotiate a broad spectrum of healthcare contracts including physician agreements, vendor contracts, managed care agreements, business associate agreements (BAAs), and service contracts.

Ensure agreements comply with applicable federal and state healthcare laws and regulations (e.g. Stark, AKS, HIPAA, EMTALA).

Collaborate with hospital departments (e.g. supply chain, finance, compliance, administration, etc.) to improve operational needs and ensure documents and agreements reflect organizational objectives.

Provide legal guidance and risk assessments related to contractual terms and regulatory issues.

Assist in policy and procedure development related to contracting and compliance.

Support internal audits and respond to contracting-related to contracting and compliance.

Support internal audits and respond to contract-related inquiries or investigations.

Maintain accurate contract records and assist in the implementation of contract management systems.

Work with and provide assistance to the Compliance Department in various aspects of operations.

Participate in on-call availability with other legal/risk/compliance personnel.

Participates in the contract approval and review process; and provides counsel; assistance; drafting and negotiation services to all constituencies.

Work collaboratively with the compliance staff to establish priorities, minimizer risk and manage issues related to corporate compliance and privacy

Assists in providing oversight to the claim management and litigation management process.

Assists in developing, implementing and conducting transactions related to the risk financing/insurance process with input from various stakeholders.

Compose reports and provide information/education to Administrative staff and Board as necessary. Attend various Board, Administrative and Organizational functions as required.  Anticipates organizational needs for information and data and provides such information proactively whenever possible. 

Participates in professional activities to keep abreast of developments in the health Law and medico- Legal Risk management fields.

 

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school.

Active license to practice law in good standing and obtain licensure in Alabama within 8 months of hire.

Minimum 3 years of experience with an emphasis in contracts/, corporate, and/or regulatory legal work, preferably with a focus on hospital/ health system operations.

Knowledge of healthcare regulations including